1) Teach your dog how to play. Add rules to games so they learn while they are having fun; this is the start to successful enhancement in agility performance.
2) Supervision is vital. This will allow you to monitor your dog’s progress and will also allow you to correct any reoccurring mistakes in the course run.
3) Use your pet’s name. A command followed by their name is very powerful. Use it only to get their attention or to turn them; don’t use it on a straightaway or in a situation that you do not want them to display a strong response to you.
4) When instructing your dog, tell them what you want them to do, rather than what you don’t want them to do. The directional commands, positions and object names should be more intense than the reprimands.
5) Be sure to work extensively through every part of the obstacle. This includes jumps, tunnels, contact approaches, contact zones, poles, etc. Look at, signal at, and command every obstacle. Be clear and deliberate with your instructions.
6) Give directions before you reach an object. Always tell your dog where to go and what to do before it is expected to occur.
7) Make sure your dog is approaching contacts and weaves at the correct angle. This may take an extra moment to straighten out, but will make your pet run more efficiently and will cut down on lost time on future runs.
8) Never show anger on the course. As the instructor it is your job to properly teach the dog on how to execute the movements and directions. Always reward your dog and praise them for a job well done. It is a game. And never punish your dog for your lack of enthusiasm.
9) Work every course to the sometimes rigidly, never give up. Even good judges miss calls for bars down or contacts you may think you've missed. The official judging will not be made by you, so don’t stress about it when you should be focusing on working your dog through the course.
10) Be courteous when interacting with fellow competitors, students, teachers and friends. Never discuss events that you may believe are the fault of someone else. Be pleasant and mature.
